Stranger in a Strange Land

No, not the classic 1951 Robert A. Heinlein novel.  Nope, not the 1986 song off of Iron Maiden’s classic Somewhere in Time CD, either.

Welcome to the July 2017 OWC, ladies and gents.  You are being tasked to write a properly formatted script between 9 and 12 pages, not including the title page (scripts under 9 pages or over 12 pages - even by a single line - will not be eligible for voting).

The scripts are due on Friday, July 21 at 11:59PM EST and must be submitted to: SimplyScripts.com/owc.

Theme:  Stranger in a Strange Land

Genre:  Drama, Thriller, Horror, Romance, Mystery, Comedy – NO PISSERS, please!

PARAMETERS:

Location – Any actual place in the world.  Location should be a key here and needs to be identified.  I would recommend using a locale you are familiar with or have researched.

Characters – Maximum of 4 human characters – PERIOD.  This includes background or “extra” characters.  Because of this stipulation, using any settings where there are a multitude of people doing whatever people do in such areas is a no-no.  Any script that violates this stipulation will not be eligible for voting.   You are allowed to have animals/creatures, which do not count towards the 4 maximum, however.

Concept – Looking for a “fish out of water” idea, as in your main character(s) being in a place that is foreign to him/her.  This does not necessarily mean a “foreign” country - but it could be.  The theme of “Stranger in a Strange Land” does not necessarily mean the place has to be “strange” either - but it could be.

Period – 2017.  No Flashbacks to earlier years.  No Flashforwards to the future.

Budget – Open, but limited to real-life existing structures and creations.

This is an open ended challenge with only a few parameters, so please, make sure you do not mess up these few “rules”.

There will be a Review Page E-mailed to you for you to score the scripts you read.  Please only give scores to scripts that you have read, and for a change, I am giving the go ahead to rate your own script as well – just be honest.

Timeline:  July 21 at 11:59PM EST - Scripts are due.

This isn't a contest - it’s a challenge.  There are no official prizes…but you never know.

Free to submit.  One entry per person.

You can revise your script as many times as you wish up until 11:59PM EST on July 21.
Do not put your real name on your script – this is an anonymous challenge.  However, please use your real name when submitting your script.  After the challenge closes you can either have your script removed or resubmit your script with your name on it.

Participants are strongly encouraged to read and comment/review the other scripts submitted - if you don’t plan on going along with this, please don’t enter a script.

Please put © on your title page.

Best of luck and I hope everyone enjoys this challenge.

I just checked in to see if Jeff was going to post before Midnight(past my bedtime)...and he already posted! Kid is on the ball!

Quoted from leitskev I just checked in to see if Jeff was going to post before Midnight(past my bedtime)...and he already posted! Kid is on the ball!

The Kid has 4 little kids coming to stay for the weekend, so I better be on the ball!!

Parameters very well stated, Jeff. Excellent challenge.

Great challenge mate! I had to google the theme as I'd heard of it but wasn't 100% sure what it was. It does get mentioned in Billy Joel's 'We didn't Start The Fire' lol.

One query - can we use a ghost or spirit in it? And does that count as one of the 4 chars? TIA brother!

Quoted from stevie One query - can we use a ghost or spirit in it? And does that count as one of the 4 chars? TIA brother!

I don't see a problem with a ghost or spirit, but if it's a "human" ghost or spirit, that would count toward your character max.

Thank you for that clarification, Jeffrey  

So four lesbians, one of whom is out of place somehow... got it!

Quoted from AnthonyCawood So four lesbians, one of whom is out of place somehow... got it!

laughed my ass off

Sounds like a good challenge. My only bitch... I mean complaint is 9 pages. 5 to 7 minutes is what most festivals want... Next challenge can we please do shorter page length?

Quoted from Pale Yellow Sounds like a good challenge. My only bitch... I mean complaint is 9 pages. 5 to 7 minutes is what most festivals want... Next challenge can we please do shorter page length?

When someone else runs the next one, I'm sure they can accommodate this request. Me?  Nah...too short, IMO.

Festivus!!!!

The Moon.
Never been there.

But I can use the moon right? Or another planet?

Anyway--- I think you should let "extras" slide Jeff. As long as "extras" don't have speaking roles and are only in the background (A city street might have people on the sidewalks, for example).

Quoted from DarrenJamesSeeley The Moon. Never been there. But I can use the moon right? Or another planet? Anyway--- I think you should let "extras" slide Jeff. As long as "extras" don't have speaking roles and are only in the background (A city street might have people on the sidewalks, for example).

No, you cannot use the Moon, because we're not able to get there right now - yeah, we've been there, but we have no planned flights to the moon right now, so it ain't gonna happen.

No other planet, either.  This takes place now, and there are no planned flights to other planets.

No city streets or cities, period, as that would include alot of "extras", and we ain't doing anymore peeps than a total of 4.

I really thought the parameters were extremely clear.  Please try and stay within the parameters...shouldn't be that difficult.

You gave us a juicy one! Let the wheel turning begin...

Just to close off a potential loophole, can you confirm that the animals/creatures can't talk Jeff?? I'm trying to fight off the urge to implement a frog chorus of sorts...

So, as long as I have been there, it's OK??  So I've been to the fantasy world Drugula and know the pitfalls well .  So, that's a go??

Fingers crossed.
Dan

If I feel better, I might try.

Quoted from Dreamscale Location – Any actual place in the world.  Location should be a key here and needs to be identified.  I would recommend using a locale you are familiar with or have researched.

Quoted from Dreamscale Concept – Looking for a “fish out of water” idea, as in your main character(s) being in a place that is foreign to him/her.  This does not necessarily mean a “foreign” country - but it could be.  The theme of “Stranger in a Strange Land” does not necessarily mean the place has to be “strange” either - but it could be.

Quoted from Cameron Just to close off a potential loophole, can you confirm that the animals/creatures can't talk Jeff?? I'm trying to fight off the urge to implement a frog chorus of sorts...

I didn't say anything about animals/creatures talking, so that will be up to you...BUT...the intent here was to have serious scripts, set in the real world.

As Don just reposted, "any actual place in the world".  I am not aware of any actual places in the world where animals and creatures talk.

Quoted from Dreamscale As Don just reposted, "any actual place in the world".  I am not aware of any actual places in the world where animals and creatures talk.

Well there's a plethora of films out there with talking animals, based in the real world, and invariably they end up with animals being in foreign locations as they tend to get lost. Just pointing it out for you!

Regardless, wasn't going to do it, but it's a risk that you can have 20 different animal characters in a short homage to Homeward Bound.

Quoted from Cameron Well there's a plethora of films out there with talking animals, based in the real world, and invariably they end up with animals being in foreign locations as they tend to get lost. Just pointing it out for you! Regardless, wasn't going to do it, but it's a risk that you can have 20 different animal characters in a short homage to Homeward Bound.

Cam, I don't understand what you're talking about.  Apart from a recent OWC that I wrote with some talking animals, I don't recall seeing any other OWC scripts with talking animals.

I don't know why anyone would want to write a script with a theme of Stranger in a strange land, involving talking animals.  Maybe I'm missing something?

Quoted from Dreamscale I didn't say anything about animals/creatures talking, so that will be up to you...BUT...the intent here was to have serious scripts, set in the real world. As Don just reposted, "any actual place in the world".  I am not aware of any actual places in the world where animals and creatures talk.

Started out thinking I had a perfect understanding of the parameters - it tends to get fuzzier as questions are asked and answered. Also makes me think being the one establishing the parameters and arbitrating the rules has to be a huge ass ache. Anyway - to add to the confusion:

* ...actual place in the world...[b][/b]

Seems that this is really -  any actual place in the world as it would typically exist in it's natural state right now.

e,g., - no empty New York City Streets because they are not empty now. Desert highway - go for it.  New York Hotel room - fine.  Would be rational then 4 or less people would be there. New York restaurant - nope.

This clarification:

Quoted Text I didn't say anything about animals/creatures talking, so that will be up to you...BUT...the intent here was to have serious scripts, set in the real world. As Don just reposted, "any actual place in the world".  I am not aware of any actual places in the world where animals and creatures talk.

Muddied the waters for me. In  a prior post - ghosts or spirits were okay - I'm not aware of any place where they actually exist (i.e., any more than talking animals or aliens, etc. ). So, I do think it would help to say specifically whether your characters must be human or not. If so, ghosts, talking animals, aliens should be out. If not so - If not so, they're in. By way of example - you could have the ghost of Wyatt Earp wandering through modern day Death Valley?

After all that diatribe - I'll bet most of the issues after these are written will be whether or not the writer met the premise of "A stranger" - in a "Strange Land."

Quoted from Dreamscale Cam, I don't understand what you're talking about.  Apart from a recent OWC that I wrote with some talking animals, I don't recall seeing any other OWC scripts with talking animals. I don't know why anyone would want to write a script with a theme of Stranger in a strange land, involving talking animals.  Maybe I'm missing something?

Jeff, refer to Dave's point re spirits/ghosts, didn't want to point that one out and exacerbate the situation but Dave did it for me. Was trying to help you, not hinder this whole process, and yes talking animals exist quite regularly in the movies in apparently real scenarios, so I see no reason why they can't in this OWC as they don't seem to be getting clamped down upon in the initial brief.

Anyway, as I said, I'm not using the talking animals ploy myself, was merely pointing it out as a potential loophole. Regardless of the freshly stoked frog chorus temptation I shall resist...

Enjoying this, Jeff?  

Funny thing is that this same scenario with questions upon questions about the challenge/competition went on every single month for eight years or however long MP was around.

Theme: Love

Genre: Western

Questions...

Can there be talking horses in this?
Can the new sheriff be a robot?
Can this take place in Indonesia?

And on and on, and then when the scripts were posted, not single one would have a talking horse, a robot sheriff and none of the stories would take place in Indonesia.  

Just how it goes Jeff. Hope the Big Kid has fun with the little kids.  

Quoted Text Can there be talking horses in this? Can the new sheriff be a robot? Can this take place in Indonesia?

Damn - that was the one I was going to write!

Excellent challenge. Enough constraints to keep people focused, but enough flexibility to allow for real variety in the entries. Good one.

Might have to give it a go - if I get a decent idea...

This reminds me of when I taught middle school. I'd give a very clear writing assignment, and the kids would ask question after question. Can I do this, can I do that, how about this, is this okay, I don't understand what you're asking. I dealt with it all by saying, Be quiet and start writing.

Quoted from Stumpzian This reminds me of when I taught middle school. I'd give a very clear writing assignment, and the kids would ask question after question. Can I do this, can I do that, how about this, is this okay, I don't understand what you're asking. I dealt with it all by saying, Be quiet and start writing.

You know, that's a reasonably solid point to make, but there's nothing worse than getting all down, dirty and creative, battering out a script, entering it and then getting a load of people saying it doesn't count because it's not met the rules. That's happened in other OWC's and there's nothing worse than winging and moaning your way through the review phase because you never bothered to question it, and here we're allowed characters of the spooky variety, but Mr Ed is to stay well clear. Go figure.

I think the questions/points made were valid, and if asked really shouldn't be causing any real grief or serious problems, as they appear to be doing.

Hmm, I was ready to bow out when suddenly I came up with an idea. Can't promise anything though. If I write it down and then don't like it I won't submit.

But mine also has something that could make it ineligible. And there's no way to ask a question as I would lose all the anonymity.

But if talking animals or ghosts or vampires are in then I'll go ahead and write mine. It has nothing to do with aforementioned characters but has its own thing going.

The problem for me is the 4 human limit.  Like what was said above finding anyplace in NYC that isn't crowded isn't realistic.

Also, the real location is hard too.  If I wanted to do a story set in a small western town, you're telling me that I can't until I research it first.  

But I typically see more than 4 characters in most shorts.  You're basically saying that we have to use settings to set the fish out of water and not show clicks of people.  That let's out places like school because it is impossible to write a story set in a school that has 4 or less humans in it.

And I find it odd that ghosts are OK but talking animals aren't???

Dan

Hey, Dan, hope you feel better to finish that story of yours.

About 4 characters limit - maybe you can go around it. I don't mean have more and 4 and still submit.  
Here's what I'm saying - I'm planning to sort of "conceal" some characters in mine. I mean they'll be implied but will never make an appearance. If there's a possibility for you to do the same that would be good.

Quoted from DanC You're basically saying that we have to use settings to set the fish out of water and not show clicks of people.  That let's out places like school because it is impossible to write a story set in a school that has 4 or less humans in it.

After hours. On a weekend. After some sort of plague/apocalypse. In a dream. In a virtual reality simulation.

No it isn't. The whole idea of these challenges is to get creative, right?

Are ghosts real?  Some peeps totally believe in them.

Is Bigfoot real?  Some peeps believe.

Are werewolves and vampires real?  Again, some believe.

Talking animals?  Well...uh...

The 4 person max parameter is meant to make you think outside the box, use settings where you don't have a ton of peeps wandering around.  Thinks small, and then take it BIG!

Quoted from Dreamscale Are ghosts real?  Some peeps totally believe in them. Is Bigfoot real?  Some peeps believe. Are werewolves and vampires real?  Again, some believe. Talking animals?  Well...uh...

Okay, last time I'm going over the animal thing. Ghosts, Bigfoot, vampires, not real. Koko the gorilla who understands over 2000 words, and can hold down a conversation with sign language, real. And that's not going onto parrots and whatever.

Serious question now. Can a scene be set with multiple dead bodies in it, or do these eat into our 4 characters? NOT mucking around, actual 100% serious question.

And maybe my question will be answered together with Cam's.

I wonder if we can have background snoring or something like it - will it count towards our 4 character limit?

I believe this is the last from me.

OK, listen...the idea here is to come up with a script with 4 or less human characters.

The blurb about animals/creatures was meant to "add" to your options, as in someone or some peeps are in an area where there are animals or "creatures".

The talking animals thing should not be used to circumvent the limited characters.

As for dead humans, I guess that's fine, but again, I wanted this to be contained to 4 actors.  If you want a creature, obviously, that would probably mean extra actors in suits or the like.

Hope this makes sense.  It always amazes me where all these crazy questions come from, or even why they're thrown out.  Thinking outside the box is always appreciated, but let's not stray too far out of this box.

Ta Jeff, I'm good to go now

Quoted from Cameron Okay, last time I'm going over the animal thing. Ghosts, Bigfoot, vampires, not real. Koko the gorilla who understands over 2000 words, and can hold down a conversation with sign language, real. And that's not going onto parrots and whatever. Serious question now. Can a scene be set with multiple dead bodies in it, or do these eat into our 4 characters? NOT mucking around, actual 100% serious question.

Cam, you can say these mythological creatures aren't real, but many do believe in them, just like many peeps believe there are many other unknown, undiscovered creatures.

Just because someone decides to write a script about a 35 foot alligator, doesn't make that concept "not real".  Now, if that 35 foot alligator lived in a city of many more 35 foot alligators that drove flying cars, it ain't gonna be deemed a real world concept.

Make sense?

Jeff, as above, let's draw a line under this. I'll confidently maintain there's more people in the world that believe they can speak to their moggie than believe in Bigfoot, but we could be here till the end of the challenge debating those semantics.

And for the record, I see the Alligators on bikes, I don't believe in flying cars either

What about my question? I asked about background snoring. I know background voices are a no go, but what about noises? This should be a legitimate question, too.

What if a character has multiple personalities? Does each count as a character?

Just kidding!

I have another contest to do this weekend, but hopefully I'll come up with some orphan-infested aside-riddled ing-laced drivel during the week!

Quoted from leitskev What if a character has multiple personalities? Does each count as a character? Just kidding! I have another contest to do this weekend, but hopefully I'll come up with some orphan-infested aside-riddled ing-laced drivel during the week!

The Orphan would count as a character

Quoted from Dreamscale Cam, you can say these mythological creatures aren't real, but many do believe in them, just like many peeps believe there are many other unknown, undiscovered creatures. Just because someone decides to write a script about a 35 foot alligator, doesn't make that concept "not real".  Now, if that 35 foot alligator lived in a city of many more 35 foot alligators that drove flying cars, it ain't gonna be deemed a real world concept. Make sense?

Doesn't really make sense to me. Simply making it four real-life  human beings does. But once you describe the parameters in terms of what peeps believe in - then it's just 4 characters, regardless of form - period. Regardless of whether they are animal, alien, ghosts. Peeps belief systems are as widely varied as the questions about OWCs.

I'm just going to go with my own gut for mine and in my view, all types of characters count will count as legit when I am viewing others - if it works great - if not, I wrote a short anyway.

Khamanna - from my view - the person snoring would count as a character. IT is a person making a sound whether they are in scene or not. Just my take

Quoted from khamanna What about my question? I asked about background snoring. I know background voices are a no go, but what about noises? This should be a legitimate question, too.

Kham, this is Jeff's show, but IMHO, background noises do not count as characters. Think of it from a producer's P.O.V. Do you need to hire an actor to snore? No. Anyone can do that or easily get free audio clips to take care of it.

Is it a specific person talking in the bg, someone that needs to be named? Then it's definitely a character.  

Quoted from Grandma Bear Kham, this is Jeff's show, but IMHO, background noises do not count as characters. Think of it from a producer's P.O.V. Do you need to hire an actor to snore? No. Anyone can do that or easily get free audio clips to take care of it. Is it a specific person talking in the bg, someone that needs to be named? Then it's definitely a character.

Saw this after I posted. For what it's worth - I would count it as a character. No different than someone screaming out of scene. Again - just my view

Thanks Pia! I'll just assume Jeff thinks the same.

Snoring or laughter or crying might come free as special sound effects in some filmmaking/editing software. I'm not sure but that's what I always thought.

Uhhh...as to characters named or not named making noises OS...is it really something that's important to your concept/script?  I don't see how it could be.

Stick to 4 maximum human characters and you're golden.

Cam, back to the real or non real creatures - I purposely said animals and creatures are allowed and don't count toward your character count.

If you're in a jungle, there will be animals.  If you're underwater in an ocean, there will be fish.  If you're in the Pacific Northwest, there may be a Sasquatch.  If you're in a haunted house, there may be ghosts.

I don't know why any of these things would need to talk, though.

Yes, that's important to my script. I guess that's a "no" to my question.

I'll try another aproach to the script then but not sure if it will work.

Quoted from Dreamscale Are ghosts real?  Some peeps totally believe in them. Is Bigfoot real?  Some peeps believe. Are werewolves and vampires real?  Again, some believe. Talking animals?  Well...uh... The 4 person max parameter is meant to make you think outside the box, use settings where you don't have a ton of peeps wandering around.  Thinks small, and then take it BIG!

I BELIEVE in all the above. haha

As my auntie used to say, there's some nice tight parameters there.

I like it. Of course, I'm drawing a complete blank but I always do at the start. I'll have a think and see if the old noggin can come up with something

Oh and the questions in this thread made me lol, but they always do!

I think i'll have a go......

Sorry Kham, I missed this part...

Maximum of 4 human characters – PERIOD.  This includes background or “extra” characters.  Because of this stipulation, using any settings where there are a multitude of people doing whatever people do in such areas is a no-no.  Any script that violates this stipulation will not be eligible for voting.   You are allowed to have animals/creatures, which do not count towards the 4 maximum, however.


My bad.  

Quoted Text Cam, back to the real or non real creatures - I purposely said animals and creatures are allowed and don't count toward your character count. If you're in a jungle, there will be animals.  If you're underwater in an ocean, there will be fish.  If you're in the Pacific Northwest, there may be a Sasquatch.  If you're in a haunted house, there may be ghosts.

Christ on a bloody bike, still at this??

Right, simples are that if we're sticking to realism then there's as much validity in a talking wombat, blue whale or donkey as there is in a ghost or a Sasquatch (aside from the band Sasquatch, but there's three members there so you'd struggle with just the one spare character). A few others have pointed this out too, so I guess I'm not alone here.

To go back a good few posts, all I was pointing it out as to the lack of limitations on animal count, and so if the animals could talk (as we've established they apparently can if we're getting creative, or Koko makes a star appearance), then you could have multiple talking parts, and essentially re-create the Jungle Book.

Anyway, I've enjoyed the debate about wildlife, and as Stuart Little appears to have made $300 million there's clearly a market for it. I'm not using animals, but for the sake of it I may do a short Noah's ark re-creation where they all have a good singalong, and a mute Sasquatch looks on with frustration in its eyes.

Keep in mind...

Genre:  Drama, Thriller, Horror, Romance, Mystery, Comedy – NO PISSERS, please!

Maybe this helps?

Quoted from Dreamscale Keep in mind... Genre:  Drama, Thriller, Horror, Romance, Mystery, Comedy – NO PISSERS, please! Maybe this helps?

Just pointing out - as usual - that not all comedy ones are pissers. These challenges can get perps confused on this when they read, as too often well written comedies are dismissed as pissers when most aren't. Funnily enough I'm not doing a comedy for this one lol.

When I read the theme criteria, the first thing that hit me when the 4 char max came up was, naturally, the Beatles. That's why I asked Jeff about the use of ghosts. I had an idea about Paul and Ringo being trapped in Abbey Road studios or the Cavern, and the ghosts of John and George appear to save them. Now, this we would be a cool story that I will prolly will write one day but I came up with a much better one and will do that.

So blame me for the ghosty debates and good luck all!

Quoted from stevie Just pointing out - as usual - that not all comedy ones are pissers. These challenges can get perps confused on this when they read, as too often well written comedies are dismissed as pissers when most aren't. Funnily enough I'm not doing a comedy for this one lol. When I read the theme criteria, the first thing that hit me when the 4 char max came up was, naturally, the Beatles. That's why I asked Jeff about the use of ghosts. I had an idea about Paul and Ringo being trapped in Abbey Road studios or the Cavern, and the ghosts of John and George appear to save them. Now, this we would be a cool story that I will prolly will write one day but I came up with a much better one and will do that. So blame me for the ghosty debates and good luck all!

For what it's worth - that one - at least to me - would qualify in terms of characters. Not  sure about the stranger in a strange land angle. Regardless - sounds interesting

We had one of those 4 character limits before for the shark one. I had exactly 4 characters. But I had a church with a rifle aiming out of it. You couldn't see the character, and he didn't say anything. But Jeff said it was a blatant disqualification. So expect strictness on this rule. No radio or tv broadcasts, planes in the sky, fire engine sirens...make it a world with 4 people(or less). Shouldn't be that hard.

Quoted from leitskev We had one of those 4 character limits before for the shark one. I had exactly 4 characters. But I had a church with a rifle aiming out of it. You couldn't see the character, and he didn't say anything. But Jeff said it was a blatant disqualification. So expect strictness on this rule. No radio or tv broadcasts, planes in the sky, fire engine sirens...make it a world with 4 people(or less). Shouldn't be that hard.

It's not hard at all.

For instance, if you want to go the very easy route, set it in a single room...or a house, apartment, structure, where there's no more than 4 peeps.

Again, what I was going for here, is to enable peeps to write a script that could be so easily shot and executed.  I may not be a low budget fan, but far too often, peeps write scripts in which there are literally hundreds, or thousands in the shots, and it just doesn't have to be that way.

Enbrace this, you guys and dolls.  It's not that tough.

So, my talking lesbian horses and the lesbian robot sheriff in Indonesia is all good then? Just asking for clarification.  

Quoted from Grandma Bear So, my talking lesbian horses and the lesbian robot sheriff in Indonesia is all good then? Just asking for clarification.

Anything and everything is all good.  I have 4 grand kids over, so whatever.

Ok. I'm about to sit down and write my story. Beware!

i was going to build my entire story around a band of cheetah warthogs, but after reading the rules, I guess I'm sunk.

Gary

I'm currently in the process of writing mine. I'm so excited, I've never entered one of these writing challenges before, and now that I'm a lot more active on the boards, I hope to continue... Excited to see what everyone else has done as well. Good luck everyone!!

Hope everyone had a great weekend, filled with planning and writing their OWC script.

I'm hoping to enter as well, but haven't really thought about anything yet, as I had 4 grand-kids over, and I need a little peace and relaxation, which includes lots of booze.

Anymore questions, fore away!!!

I actually do have a question... My idea for the script I'm writing for this challenge is actually based off an urban legend... However, I am putting my own spin on it and everything meets the criteria. And the writer of the original urban legend is unknown and as far as I know, hasn't copywritten it. Would this be allowed...or no? If not I may just have to skip this challenge because I literally just completed this screenplay today and really don't want to write another one... guess I should have asked first though? :/

Quoted from Tyler King I actually do have a question... My idea for the script I'm writing for this challenge is actually based off an urban legend... However, I am putting my own spin on it and everything meets the criteria. And the writer of the original urban legend is unknown and as far as I know, hasn't copywritten it. Would this be allowed...or no? If not I may just have to skip this challenge because I literally just completed this screenplay today and really don't want to write another one... guess I should have asked first though? :/

Sounds OK to me, bro.  You may want to include something on your title page that says this is not an original idea...maybe Pia can help here.

If you meet the parameters set, you're golden, as far as I'm concerned....

BUT...

I do want to let you know that it's rarely wise to be done so quickly.  If it's written in first draft form, that's great, but hang out, think about it, rad it over several times, make corrections, edit again, and don't submit until you've really taken it all in.

Know what I'm saying?

Quoted from Dreamscale Sounds OK to me, bro.  You may want to include something on your title page that says this is not an original idea...maybe Pia can help here. If you meet the parameters set, you're golden, as far as I'm concerned.... BUT... I do want to let you know that it's rarely wise to be done so quickly.  If it's written in first draft form, that's great, but hang out, think about it, rad it over several times, make corrections, edit again, and don't submit until you've really taken it all in. Know what I'm saying?

Awesome! Glad I can use it! And yes, I was going to put something like that on the title page also, definitely not submitting this right away, I'm very OCD and re-read and re-write A LOT!! haha.. but thanks for the heads up, appreciate it.

This is also another question, but where exactly on the title page should the copyright symbol go? And I understand we aren't putting our real name on the title page, I'm just kind of wondering what exactly does need to go on it, and what needs to be left off...and where it's supposed to go on there. Thanks, man, much appreciated.

Doing another contest this weekend... NYC Midnight with Kev.. so have barely thought about this idea but I plan on working on it this week.... after my scalloping trip!

Quoted from Dreamscale You may want to include something on your title page that says this is not an original idea...maybe Pia can help here.

For the OWC, I wouldn't worry about it, but after the writers' reveal, you can add on the cover page, based on the urban legend blah blah.

I haven't got anything done yet and not sure I will. I was bit by a spider in bed last night, probably hitched a ride inside on our dog, and I have been bedridden since. All my joints swelled up so I can't move. Couldn't even get out of bed and had a fever and chills. Hopefully it won't last too long.  

Quoted from Grandma Bear For the OWC, I wouldn't worry about it, but after the writers' reveal, you can add on the cover page, based on the urban legend blah blah. I haven't got anything done yet and not sure I will. I was bit by a spider in bed last night, probably hitched a ride inside on our dog, and I have been bedridden since. All my joints swelled up so I can't move. Couldn't even get out of bed and had a fever and chills. Hopefully it won't last too long.

Thank you for the info! And that's horrible! I hate spiders... hopefully you recover quickly

Oh and another question I just thought of...if there's a scene where the National Weather Service announcer gives a warning on the radio... That doesn't count as a character, does it? Aren't those "voices" automated, anyway? This is actually a legit question. If it DOES count as a character, I would probably have to take it out...however I was hoping I could possibly leave it in, as it gives the location to my script.

Wow. It's amazing what writers will come up with to not write.  

Pia I need to say this!!  Spider bites are no joke.  Certain ones can cause skin and cell , organs, to suffer necrosis and die.  My uncle who loves being the dumb tough guy ignored the bite until he lost part of his leg due to rot.

Don't be dumb like him.  If it doesn't improve quickly, seek help.

Not sure I will, or can enter.  Been having a bout go lately.  Seeing a cord PT specialist now.

Will write more later.
Dan

No idea where "The Swamp" is so not sure what spideys you've got round there, but I second Dan's concern. If you're swollen up and bedridden, that isn't a normal reaction, if it was nothing to worry about you'd normally just get an itch and slight swell around the bite. Go see someone Pia!!

I had all day yesterday to write and I drew a complete blank....sod all...nothing!



Going to struggle, I won't have much in the way of free time now, all my writing is usually  done at the weekend. Not counting myself out yet.

Too much crazy shit happening on my end, so I won't be able to participate. I think this is the first OWC I've had to bail on since... probably the superheroes. (That one would've been fun, though.)

Even if I were planning on entering, I have no ideas. Maybe a post-apoc, but I already did that in the last challenge. And I wouldn't gave time, let alone to write a decent script. I always try to write two drafts minimum, four or five + if I'm lucky.

My folks and I are in the process if moving at the beginning of the month, so I might not even be able to read many. Oh well. Hope it's fun.

Wow, unless peeps are just trying to throw everyone off, it sounds like a very poor turnout this time around. I sure hope not.  Maybe I should write 2 scripts and break my own rules.

Pia, I hope you recover quickly.  I despise arachnids.

We are going through our Monsoon season and had a powerful storm roll in around 11:00 PM,and knock out power here until the morning.  We didn't sleep well, as we were way to hot without the A/C blasting and fans running overhead.

Tyler, open up some old OWC entries to see how different peeps handle the copyright thing on their title page.

Quoted from Dreamscale Wow, unless peeps are just trying to throw everyone off, it sounds like a very poor turnout this time around. I sure hope not.  Maybe I should write 2 scripts and break my own rules. Pia, I hope you recover quickly.  I despise arachnids. We are going through our Monsoon season and had a powerful storm roll in around 11:00 PM,and knock out power here until the morning.  We didn't sleep well, as we were way to hot without the A/C blasting and fans running overhead. Tyler, open up some old OWC entries to see how different peeps handle the copyright thing on their title page.

We did an entire OWC based on Urban Legends - I didn't recall any issues and I don't think a single script had a based on. I would think that generally they are in the public domain - although that might be an urban legend

When the theme and open genre were released, I thought 'piece of cake'. Now, after tossing three different drafts out the window, I'm starting my fourth and will see this through to the end! I'm down but not out!

Pia - Consider it a consensus and make sure you do the right thing!

All the best - John

I have a few ideas. Nothing solid yet. My challenge will be the time to write, but that's always the case. I'm still in!

Yeh, I finished my serious effort earlier today, just need a tidy now before submission. There'll be a good few folk, Jeff, don't fret.

Pia it could also be a tick, and they can give people Lyme disease.

Dan

I summarize the margins as I see them laid out


- create a concept around a specific main location and character(s) who preferably are not familiar to this surroundings

- 4 human characters total (excluding animals, creatures)

- story must be set in 2017

- genres Drama, Thriller, Horror, Romance, Mystery, Comedy

- 9-12 pages


If I forgot something please call me out. Personally the page count is the biggest hurdle for me. I usually tend to walk with 5-6 pages. Unfair.

No, honestly, well thought out, Jeff.  

Will try, will try. Just got one lousy idea yet but damn it's the OWC.

Quoted from PrussianMosby I summarize the margins as I see them laid out - create a concept around a specific main location and character(s) who preferably are not familiar to this surroundings - 4 human characters total (excluding animals, creatures) - story must be set in 2017 - genres Drama, Thriller, Horror, Romance, Mystery, Comedy - 9-12 pages If I forgot something please call me out. Personally the page count is the biggest hurdle for me. I usually tend to walk with 5-6 pages. Unfair. No, honestly, well thought out, Jeff.   Will try, will try. Just got one lousy idea yet but damn it's the OWC.

Remedy:

Write 6 pages

Add Orphans

It'll get you to 9

Quoted from eldave1 Remedy: Write 6 pages Add Orphans It'll get you to 9

Classic Dave.

I'd personally complain if the page count was not enough.
No one's ever been bounced for writing under the page count, right? Penalised for going over, yes, but I've never read feedback: 'ooh, you went under, story's great, but I'll give you a pass'.

Adjudicator's rules I suppose.
Without rules the world can go to chaos!

Hmm, perhaps I'm going to establish a revolutionary quadruple spacing before each slugline. Combined with an orphan havoc, as Dave suggested, and a location map image at the midpoint... then I might get it done :-)

Well, Jeff takes it serious, so I give my best to get a 9. in there.

Currently I arrived at the end of page one… so it's gonna be a long, long way

Okay, serious question. Jeff stipulates 'No Pissers'. When does a comedy get defined as a pisser? When it's not funny? It's still a grey area in my books and I think everyone has a variable definition. A little help?

I had two pages but the story sucks. Back to outlining.

Quoted from JEStaats Okay, serious question. Jeff stipulates 'No Pissers'. When does a comedy get defined as a pisser? When it's not funny? It's still a grey area in my books and I think everyone has a variable definition. A little help?

A pisser isn't a comedy, although some find them funny. A pisser is something that is deliberately written badly. It's usually a seasoned writer who's just breaking all the screenwriting 'rules' on purpose.

Quoted from MarkRenshaw It's usually a seasoned writer who's just breaking all the screenwriting 'rules' on purpose.

Lols, my last two OWC's have been accused by some of being pissers, so as an inverse compliment I'll take the "seasoned writer" cape and wear it with pride! Ta Mark

Quoted from JEStaats Okay, serious question. Jeff stipulates 'No Pissers'. When does a comedy get defined as a pisser? When it's not funny? It's still a grey area in my books and I think everyone has a variable definition. A little help?

Stevie is the arse who invented the phrase, but I think many of us have taken it to mean different things.

What Mark said is definitely correct, but IMO, it goes much further than just screenwriting rules being broken.

For instance, 99% of the crap that The Asylum turns out are pissers, IMO.  All the Sharknado movies are pissers.  Sea Beast is a GIANT pisser.

Basically, for me, any and every time a movie or script isn't taken seriously (when set is a serious situation), it's a pisser.

For classic examples, please read any of my pissers or ask Mark Moore, as he is another King Pisser.  

So what was that one Asylum movie you liked?  

Quoted from ReneC So what was that one Asylum movie you liked?

I don't know if I've liked any, but there are many pissers I love...like Sea Beast, for example.  Or, Up from the Depths.  Just absolutely hilarious.

Apologies for those familiar already, but for those who seek further clarification:

Pisser - U.S.

piss-take
nounBRITISHvulgar slang (and Aus/NZ
noun: pisstake
an act of mockery.
synonyms:     take-off, satire, send-up, burlesque, lampoon, pastiche, caricature, skit, squib, imitation, impression, impersonation, mockery, mimicry, travesty;


PISS-TAKE / PISSTAKE noun colloquial (chiefly Britain, Australia, and New Zealand) [1975]: An attempt to make someone or something seem silly; something that is done to tease or make fun of someone or something; an act of copying someone else's behavior and manner in a humorous way; an amusing imitation a parody; lampoon.

Etymology: From the phrase take the piss.

TAKE THE PISS (chiefly Britain, Australia, and New Zealand; very informal) [1945]:

1) To make a joke about someone or to make someone look silly (often + out of ); to tease, especially aggressively; to make fun of, to mock, deride, satirize. <“You should wear miniskirts more often - you've got the legs for them.” “Are you taking the piss?”> [[Where this ‘piss’ [as in ‘take the piss (out of)’] may be the one used in the expression piss and vinegar [1920s and still in use]: Energy, enthusiasm, cheekiness.]]

2) To treat someone badly in order to get what you want. <£50 for that old thing? That's just taking the piss.> [[Note: This second definition does not refer to the etymology of piss-take.]]

(Oxford English Dictionary, Macmillan Dictionary, Collins English Dictionary, Oxford Dictionary of Slang, Cassell’s Dictionary of Slang, and Cambridge Idioms Dictionary)

'Pisser' has a completely different def to us Aussies but let's face it we all get the gist of what we mean when referring to an OWC entry.
"A rose by any other name would smell as sweet"  

I personally think the only way out of this is to review a script according to your own judgement and assessment. I quite wrongly assessed an OWC script as a pisstake once and regrettably offended the writer. I just thought it was over the top. His view was legit.

As usual one of the parameters of the OWC is NO pissers/pisstakes. That's cause primarily we are challenged to write a conventional (i e., not 'out there') script according to the theme, genre, parameters.

Ultimately try to be respectful and constructive with all reviews. If a script is not you're cup of tea, not funny in your opinion, over the top in your opinion, some kind of send up -  don't review it if you don't want to. If you think it's  an hilarious spoof then do make comment.

In the history of the OWC there's usually one that gets through despite best efforts. Some have gone on as memorable and infamous.

I'll shut up now.

Okay, got it...but no guarantee! Here's another definition: When you read your newly drafted screenplay and realize you just pissed away a couple days of your life? It's a pisser.

A "true" pisser is written as a pisser on purpose.

There are many pissers that aren't intended to be pissers.

The parameter "NO PISSERS" simply means, try and write a serious take...don't write a terrible script on purpose for laughs.